Words of faith: Bible offers ample New Year's goals

A belated Happy New Year to you all. At the church where I serve as pastor, I asked all to share what they hoped God and they would accomplish in 2018. There were some awesome responses. Here are a few responses that I personally have for this year of 2018.

· I enjoy the title of this column, “Words of Faith.” It fits right in with how I live my life. I am a Christian and seek to follow God in every area of my life. The “words of faith” that best guide me are from the Bible. The Bible tells us that “faith without works is dead.” I’m hoping to have a faith that has works alongside of my words. I’ll be striving to “walk the walk” as well as “talk the talk,” and to strive to make sure people in our country do the same.

· I was honored to be able to be one of the participants at the annual Martin Luther King Jr. service this month. I am working to help, as Dr. King did, to resolve difficulties in non-violent ways. The Bible encourages us to follow the lead of the “Prince of Peace” as we relate to others.

· In light of the “Me Too” movement to combat sexual harassment, I am going to work hard, as I hope people throughout our nation will, to “flee from sexual immorality” (as the Bible puts it).

· I am also striving to follow the Bible’s exhortation to “act justly.” I’ll be attempting to help our nation treat people fairly and with a sense of fairness.

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· The Bible also calls us to avoid slander and malice toward others. I’m doing all that I can to avoid name-calling, attacking and strife toward others. I’ll be encouraging all in our nation to do the same.

· Jesus was criticized for associating with Samaritans and other sinners. Another one of my goals this year is to have no prejudice in my life and to help our nation to fight white supremacy movements and treat all races equally.

· The Bible mentions how we need to avoid being hardhearted or tightfisted toward the poor.

And, above all, I will strive to “love God, and others, as He has loved me.”

The Rev. Dr. William Edward (Bill) Godwin is a pastor with Peace Christian Fellowship in Palm Springs and a member of the Mid-Valley Interfaith Council.